MPS Racing team rider, Matt Ridgeway suffered a horrendous crash whilst testing at Mildenhall yesterday. 

Matt, who is racing for MPS on the new Husqvarna TE250, appeared to misjudge his landing whilst passing some slower riders over the tabletop at the Suffolk circuit and landed just off the edge of the track.

Fortunately for Matt, the next rider over the tabletop was an off duty paramedic who took control of the situation until further medical staff arrived. Matt was eventually airlifted away from Mildenhall to the Addenbrooks hospital where the initial diagnosis suggests two broken shoulder blades, a broken pelvis, broken ribs and traumatised lungs.

Matt was testing at Mildenhall with fellow MPS Racing team member Tom Braddock and Hardcore Racings’ Roland Shaw who is working closely with the team this year improving their fitness on and off the bike.

Speaking just after the helicopter had left with Matt, Roland said ‘Matt was flying, riding really well and had positioned himself on the far side of the track to pass the slower riders so he had a clear run through the next corner. Unfortunately he landed just off the track and with the speed he was carrying I knew it was going to be serious. We were all incredibly lucky for the next rider to be a paramedic; he managed the situation brilliantly until further help arrived’.

MPS Team Owner, Mick Seward said ‘I’m devastated for Matt, he was riding on top form and really happy with the bike set up. I know just how much Matt was looking forward to the 2010 season to show how his riding had developed since moving to a four stroke and now it appears he’ll be out for several months’.

Matt is being kept in Intensive Care at Addenbrooks until his condition improves and the Addenbrooks staff have asked that concerned parties do not phone the hospital for updates. MPS and the Ridgeway family will issue regular updates on Matt’s progress. 

For further information please contact Mick Seward at MPS Racing on 07801 256767 or email mpsracing@btconnect.com.